Trip on Three Finger Bay (2014)

Last summer, while adventuring around the Massasauga Provincial Park area, we ended up in Three Finger Bay. Having looked at the real 3 fingers and finding them either unsuitable or occupied we anchored offshore in what could reasonably be called the thumb. As there weren`t many boats around at that time, it didn`t really matter that we were somewhat out in the open because the weather appeared to be cooperating and would do for the near future. 

Map of Three Finger Bay (and thumb)

I had the greatest fishing experience of my life there, actually. After dropping anchor for a bit and going for a swim, I was prone on the deck, enjoying the late afternoon sun, when I spotted a low-riding, heavy-engined fishing runabout manned by two fellows in camouflage gear. They were slowly meandering along the shoreline, casting in occasionally. 

When they got close to the Mary Mary, we exchanged pleasantries and the one guy asked if I had any idea where all the fish had gone. I restrained myself from responding that perhaps, just like themselves, they were all  wearing camouflage too. At any rate, apparently he was used to better luck in these waters. I relayed to him that spotty fishing was all I was used to really and so the boat wandered off.

What the heck, I thinks to meself. I`ll try me luck. 

I grabbed the rod, threaded on a worm and tossed her over. Slowly reeling back in I was gob-smacked to see a giant bass (by my standards, anyway) that was slowly following the dangling bait back to the surface. Stay there, stay there, I exhorted my prey and lowered the line back in. Sure enough, a moment later, a hard hit and I hauled the lunker in. I reckoned him to be about 4 or 5 lbs. 

One of the many beauties, glistening in the sun

As I am wont to do, I screamed for Brooke to come with the net and help me before the fish could flop off. Brooke arrived and straining with the weight, the net came up over the side and onto the deck with struggling Billy. We took pictures, a video, called the National Fishing Association and generally celebrated what was easily the biggest fish I`d ever caught (Other than a Mahi-Mahi in the Pacific Ocean.) We released the trophy back into the water and I settled back to fish some more, not really expecting any further excitement. But no sooner did the line hit the water than, bang, another big hit. I reeled him in, this one only slightly smaller than the last. And again and again the fish came bursting over the side until my arms  were sore from reeling them in. Altogether perhaps 10 or 12 large bass were caught in the space of about 45 minutes. Finally I ran out of bait.

As satisfying as the event had been, I only wished my fellow fishermen had still been around so that I could tell them exactly where the fish had gone to. Under my boat.

The next day we lowered the dinghy and took a ride up in to the northern finger of the bay and visited a small feeder creek that was the bloated with huge algae blooms. We had our Go Pro camera with us in its underwater housing and below is a link  to the video we shot. Enjoy it.